Extreme Distance/Velocity Disc Projectile Throwing Toy

ABSTRACT

A disc projectile throwing toy includes a disc placeable in and throwable from the toy, a handle section, and a launching section hingedly attached to and whippably rotatable with respect to the handle section. The distal end of the launching section includes a disc holder adapted to releasably hold the disc. The disc holder has a proximal disc gripper and a distal disc gripper each gripping the disc independently of the other. When the disc is inserted into the disc holder and the launching section is whipped with respect to the handle section, the disc holder releases the disc. The distal disc gripper has a greater gripping force on the disc than the proximal disc gripper, causing the disc to leave the proximal gripper first and then the distal gripper when thrown. This sequential release of the disc imparts rotational motion to the disc.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/060,214 filed Oct. 6, 2014 and entitled “EXTREME DISTANCE/VELOCITYDISC PROJECTILE THROWING TOY”, the entirety of which is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to projectile toys. More specifically theinvention is directed to devices that enable users to throw lightweightdisc-shaped projectiles a great distance with great velocity in a safemanner.

2. Description of Related Art

Toy projectile throwing devices have been in use for decades. Some havebeen designed especially for enabling a dog owner to play fetch with thedog without touching a bespittled tennis ball. One such device ismarketed as the Chucklt ball thrower and appears in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,076,829 and D424,640, both to Oblack. The Chucklt device is a flexibleball holder with a ball grabber at one end and a handle at the otherroughly 18 inches away. The ball grabber enables the user to pick up atennis ball on the ground that has been in the dog's mouth, and the18-inch handle allows the user to a) retrieve the tennis ball from theground without bending all the way down to get it, and b) throw the ballmuch further than simply by hand owing to greater leverage. Yet, thethrowing distance actually achievable by the Chucklt, while usuallygreater than throwing simply by hand, is still not that impressive.

Several other toy projectile throwing devices have a taken the ChuckItconcept a step further and provide a two-sectioned ball throwing device.Some examples of these can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,681 to Levin,US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0227721 to Geller, and USPatent Application Publication No. 2009/0025699 to Mongkolkasetarin. Inboth Levin and Geller, the device comes in two sections that arelockable in an extended configuration for greater extension and closableinto a collapsed configuration for storage purposes. The devices arestill meant to be used in the same manner as the Chucklt device. Bycontrast, Mongkolkasetarin envisions not locking the two sections butrather enabling the shorter distal section to pivot with respect to thelonger proximal section during use, thereby enabling the user to “whip”the ball or rubber toy further. While an improvement, evenMongkolkasetarin does not result in a device capable of throwingprojectiles extremely long distances, in the order of 300 feet or more.

Another class of throwing toys is the flying disc, made popular by,among others, Wham-O's Frisbee® flying disc. Flying discs are usuallythrown by hand. The distance flying discs can be thrown is greatlydetermined/limited by the skill and strength of the thrower. A typicalflying disc requires a throwing motion in which the user bends both herelbow and her wrist, so that the disc not only goes flying out of theperson's hand upon completion of the maneuver but also rotatessignificantly (e.g., 100-300 rpm). This is a complicated motion thatrequires a lot of practice, much to the detriment of the potentialcatcher and/or surrounding windows, automobiles, and anything else anerrant disc might strike.

Some attempts to create of device for throwing or launching variousdisc-like items appear in U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,939 to Minneman, U.S. Pat.No. 8,387,601 to Christensen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,202,180 to Perry-Smith,7900617 to Kersh, and 7895995 to Simon. All of these either havecomplicated or unnatural throwing motions and/or do not impartsufficient rotation or force to the disc or are difficult to manufactureor aim.

There is a long-felt need for a toy projectile throwing device that canenable a user as small as a child to throw a projectile such as a flyingdisc extremely long distances in a safe manner without expending a greatdeal of energy and without posing a danger to anyone attempting to catchthe projectile or otherwise in the vicinity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a long-distance projectile throwing toy. It has twosections: a handle section and a launching section hingedly/pivotablyattached at one end to the handle section. The proximal end of thehandle section includes a handle for the user to hold the devicecomfortably. The distal end of the launching section includes a ball ordisc holder for gently securing a ball or disc or similar projectilesufficiently securely not to fall out readily but loosely enough toallow the ball or disc to come flying out when the device is whipped bythe user.

The device is configurable into at least two and preferably threeconfigurations by sliding a switch or pulling/releasing a spring biasedtrigger that cooperates with/abuts against various ramped portions ofthe proximal end of the launching section. A throwing configurationkeeps the launching section at an minimum angle of approximately 40-50°to maximize the force imparted to the projectile and thus its distanceand speed. A collapsed configuration enables the launching section to besubstantially parallel with the handle section (i.e., having an angle ofsubstantially 0°), enabling the device to be stored or shipped moreeasily. A locked extended configuration is also optionally provided inwhich the launching section extends substantially straight out from thehandle section (i.e., having an angle of substantially 180°).

In the ball or similar round projectile embodiment, the ball holderpreferably includes two prongs, and the distal-most prong preferablyincludes teeth, ridges, a roughened area, or some other means ofincreasing the coefficient of friction between the projectile and theball holder. Such teeth, ridges, etc. are preferably provided only onthe distal-most prong to impart backspin to the projectile as it leavesthe ball holder to enhance the projectile's flight characteristics,e.g., facilitating controllable curved flight paths via both high speedsand substantial backspin. Preferably, the other prong includes apartially beveled surface that crowns substantially in the middle so asto make it more difficult to load inappropriate projectiles such asrocks, chunks of metal, glass, or other dangerous items made from hardnon-conformable materials.

Preferably, the two sections are approximately the same length.Preferably, the projectile is on the order of 8-25 grams, and morepreferably 10-15 grams. Preferably, the projectile is dimpled in themanner of a golf ball to enhance its flight characteristics. In oneembodiment, the projectile is a foam polymer such as polyurethane or thelike. In any event, it is preferred that the projectile be made from aconformable material so that, among other things, the teeth/ridges ofthe distal-most prong of the ball holder can properly engage theprojectile to impart the above-mentioned backspin.

The preferred projectile is adapted to be disposed in and released fromsaid ball holder and is dimensioned slightly larger than the gap betweenthe first and second ball holder prongs and made from a conformablematerial.

In the disc projectile embodiment, much of the handle section, thelaunching section, and the angle delimiting structure is the same,however the disc holder preferably includes at least two disc grippersor sections: a proximal gripper/section and a distal gripper/section.The distal gripper/section has greater/stronger gripping force than theproximal gripper/section so that, when the user whips the device, thedisc more easily pops out of the proximal gripper/section while stillbeing retained for a short time in the distal gripper/section. Thiscauses the disc to spin with great rotational velocity as it eventuallyleaves the distal gripper/section. In one embodiment, the inner grippingsurfaces of the distal gripper/section have a higher coefficient offriction with respect to the disc than the inner gripping surfaces ofthe proximal gripper/section. In another embodiment, the proximalgripper/section includes detent bumps that are easily overcome, whilethe distal gripper/section includes tighter webs that flex and spreadapart when the disc is being flung thereout. Preferably, the distal websinclude ramped portions that are pushed apart as the disc rotatesthrough the distal gripper/section.

The preferred projectile is a disc adapted to be disposed in andreleased from said disc holder and is dimensioned slightly larger thanthe gap between the detent bumps in the proximal gripper/section and thewebs in the distal gripper/section. Preferably, the disc has an annularridge or flange that clicks into the disc grippers/sections so as to besecurely held therein.

The invention herein is a disc projectile throwing toy, having a handlesection holdable by a user and a launching section. The launchingsection has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end hingedlyattached to and whippably rotatable with respect to the handle section,and the distal end including a disc holder adapted to releasably hold adisc projectile. The disc holder has a proximal disc gripper/section anda distal disc gripper/section, the distal disc gripper gripping a discprojectile independently of the proximal disc gripper. When a disc isinserted into the disc holder and the launching section is whipped withrespect to the handle section, the disc holder releases the disc.

Preferably, the disc projectile throwing toy includes an angulardelimiter disposed on one of a distal end of the handle section and theproximal end of the launching section and engageable with a first rampedportion disposed on the other of the distal end of the handle sectionand the proximal end of the launching section. When the angulardelimiter is engaged with the first ramped portion, the launchingsection is placed in a cocked position at an angle of approximately40-50° to the handle section neither parallel to nor collinear with thehandle section. The handle section and the launching section arepreferably substantially the same length.

Preferably, the first ramped portion is disposed on the launchingsection, and the angular delimiter is disposed on the handle section andspring-biased into engageability with the first ramped portion. Theangular delimiter preferably further includes a boss portion at adelimiter distal end engageable with the first ramped portion. Theangular delimiter preferably further includes a trigger mechanicallycoupled to the boss portion adapted to allow the user to retract theangular delimiter proximally against the spring bias out ofengageability with the first ramped portion.

Preferably, a first gripping force of the distal disc gripper/section ona disc inserted into the disc holder is greater than a second grippingforce of the proximal disc gripper/section on the disc inserted into thedisc holder. When a disc is inserted into the disc holder and thelaunching section is whipped with respect to the handle section by auser, the disc first leaves the proximal disc gripper/section, pivotsaround the distal disc gripper/section, and then leaves the distal discgripper/section.

The proximal disc gripper/section preferably includes two proximal websbetween which a disc is releasably placeable. Preferably, at least onedetent bump is formed on at least one inner gripping surface of theproximal webs, the at least one detent bump being engageable with a discwhen the disc is placed in the disc holder.

Preferably, the distal disc gripper/section further includes two distalwebs tapered toward each other to form a narrow section at a proximalend of the distal disc gripper/section. The narrow section at theproximal end of the distal disc gripper/section is preferably thenarrowest portion of the disc holder. Preferably, a pair of ramps isrespectively disposed on a rear side of the distal webs. When thelaunching section is whipped with respect to the handle section, a discin the distal disc gripper/section pivots around the narrow section andengages the ramps, thereby pushing the distal webs apart and therebyreleasing the disc from the distal disc gripper/section.

The invention herein also includes a disc projectile throwing toy havinga disc releasably placeable in and throwable from the toy, a handlesection holdable by a user, and a launching section. The launchingsection has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end beinghingedly attached to and whippably rotatable with respect to the handlesection, and the distal end including a disc holder adapted toreleasably hold the disc, the disc holder having a proximal discgripper/section and a distal disc gripper/section, the distal discgripper/section gripping the disc independently of the proximal discgripper. When the disc is inserted into the disc holder and thelaunching section is whipped with respect to the handle section, thedisc holder releases the disc.

The disc preferably includes an at least partially circumferential ridgereleasably engageable with the disc holder.

The proximal disc gripper/section preferably further includes twoproximal webs between which the disc is releasably placeable. At leastone detent bump is preferably formed on at least one inner grippingsurface of the proximal webs, the at least one detent bump engageablewith the ridge on disc when the disc is placed in the disc holder.

The distal disc gripper/section preferably includes two distal webstapered toward each other to form a narrow section at a proximal end ofthe distal disc gripper/section. The narrow section is preferably thenarrowest portion of the disc holder. A pair of ramps are preferablyrespectively disposed on a rear side of the distal webs. When thelaunching section is whipped with respect to the handle section and thedisc is placed in the disc holder, the disc pivots around the narrowsection and engages the ramps, thereby pushing the distal webs apart andthereby releasing the disc from the distal disc gripper/section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a projectile throwingtoy in accordance with the invention in its throwing configuration.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the projectile throwing toy of FIG. 1 inits storage or collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1 and2 in its extended configuration.

FIGS. 4A-C are enlarged perspective views of the hinged joint of theprojectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 in its extended, throwing, andstorage configurations, respectively.

FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the launching arm of theprojectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 detached from the rest of thedevice.

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the launching arm of theprojectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 detached from the rest of thedevice.

FIG. 5C is a front perspective view of the launching arm of theprojectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 detached from the rest of thedevice.

FIG. 5D is an enlarged perspective view of the lower prong of the ballgrabber of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 taken from detail 5Din FIG. 5C.

FIG. 5E is an enlarged perspective view of the ball grabber of theprojectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 taken from detail 5E in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the hub of the launchingarm of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A-C are a series of perspective diagrams illustrating control ofthe flight plan of the projectile in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating the preferred basic method ofoperation of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the angulardelimiter of a projectile throwing toy in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side cutaway perspective of the angular delimiter of FIG. 9engaging with the ramped portion of the hub of the launching section ofa projectile throwing toy in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a disc throwing toy in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the disc holder of the discthrowing toy of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the disc holder of the discthrowing toy of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the distal disc gripper of thedisc throwing toy of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a disc in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 16A-D are a series of schematics depicting the stages of therelease of a disc from the disc holder in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective portion of the disc being releasedfrom the disc holder in accordance with the invention as taken fromdetail 17 from FIG. 16C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-17,with the ball throwing embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10 and the disc/ringthrowing embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-17. It should be understood thatthese figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit thescope of the invention which is defined by the claims appearinghereinbelow.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, projectile launcher 8 includes a handlesection 10 and a launching section 10 hingedly attached together. Handlesection 10 includes a proximal end 12 having a handle grip 13 for theuser to hold the device comfortably and a distal end 14 having at leastone (and preferably two) flange 15. Handle section optionally alsoincludes a reserve ball magazine 18 having one or more ball retaininggrips 19 for holding extra balls 60.

Launching section 20 includes a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24.Proximal end 22 is held to flanges 15 via a pin (not shown) in a mannerto allow substantially free rotation (up to a point, as discussed below)of launching section 20 with respect to handle section 10. Distal end 14of handle section 10 and proximal end 22 of launching section 20together form hinge 40. Distal end 24 includes a ball holder 30 (to bedescribed below) adapted to retain a lightweight ball 60 or similarprojectile.

Disposed on handle section 10 near distal end 14 is a configurationswitch 50, slidably disposed within groove/slot 52. As shown in FIGS.4A-C, sliding the configuration switch 50 into one of three positionsenables launcher 8 to be configured into one of the three configurationsshown in FIGS. 1-3: throwing or “cocked” (FIGS. 1, 4B), which enablesthe user to hurl ball 60 or a similar lightweight projectile vastdistances; storage (FIGS. 2, 4C), which enables the user to collapse thedevice to a small size for storage or the manufacturer/distributor tominimize packaging and shipping costs; and extended (FIGS. 3, 4A), whichenables the user to use the device in a manner similar to the ChuckItdevice, or as a bludgeoning device, a sword, or similar weapon-like toy.

In the throwing configuration of FIG. 1, the user grasps handle 13 andplaces ball 60 into ball holder 30. Owing to the relationship of hinge40 and configuration switch 50, launching section 20 does not lay flatlyagainst handle section 10. Rather, in the “cocked” position as shown,launcher section 20 is at an angle α to handle section 10. Angle α ispreferably in the range of about 40-50° and more preferably isapproximately 45°. Instead of starting from a completely flat 0°position with respect to the handle section 10, providing the startingangle α maximizes the force delivered to the projectile, thereby alsotypically maximizing its speed and distance, while minimizing the effortrequired to fling the ball. This is owing, in part, to a reduction ofthe angular distance one must impel the launching section from rest torelease positions. Also, this is the most energy efficient position ofball holder 30 in as it converts the user throwing motion intorotational acceleration. If the angle of ball holder 30 weresignificantly smaller than 45 degrees, there would be sloweracceleration of ball holder around pivot point. If the angle of ballholder 30 were significantly greater than 45 degrees, there would be aquicker acceleration of ball holder around pivot point which would causeprojectile to egress ball holder before all throwing energy could beconverted into rotation acceleration.

In the simplest aspect of the invention, the user performs a whippingmotion (see FIG. 8) which causes launching section 20 to rotate rapidlyabout hinge 40 in the direction of arrow A. As launching section 20rotates, centripetal force causes ball 60 to fly out of ball holder 30 agreat distance. At the end of the throwing motion, device 8 is in itsextended configuration as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5A-E depicts various details of launching section 20. FIG. 5E is aview of ball holder 30, which preferably includes a first arm or prong32 at the very end of distal end 24 and a second arm 34 proximal tofirst arm 32. Ball holder 30 is generally arcuate or C-shaped;preferably, first arm/prong 32 is longer than second arm 34. First armor prong 32 includes teeth 33 that serve to create a higher coefficientof friction between a ball 60 disposed in ball holder 30. By providingteeth 33 preferably only on the first arm/prong 32, the top of the ballwill be held onto by the ball holder longer and more securely than thebottom of the ball. Consequently, a ball being thrown will tend to spinin a direction opposite to the flight path, i.e., it is provided withbackspin. This backspin creates the Magnus effect or lift which impartsexcellent flight characteristics when coupled with the high velocityimparted in the throw, as described below.

FIG. 5D is an overall elevational view of launching section 20.Launching section 20 is preferably curved instead of straight. Thiscurvature causes ball holder 30 to point in a direction greater thanperpendicular to the overall axis of launching section 20.Alternatively, launching section 20 may be straight and prongs 32/34 beangled slightly greater than perpendicular to a long axis of launchingsection 20. A preferred angle of prongs 32/34 with respect to launchingsection 20 is about 10-20° greater than perpendicular (i.e., away fromlaunching section 20). Pointing ball holder 30 in such a mannerfacilitates the egress of projectiles from ball holder 30 as thelaunching section is deployed.

FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of second prong 34. Preferably, the contouror profile of second prong 34 includes a crowned or beveled section 35that cants downward from the middle to the sides. This beveled shapewill dig into a conformable material such as foam polymer or rubber butwill make it extremely difficult to insert a projectile made from anon-coformable material such as rock, glass, metal, or the like. Thisserves to dissuade use of improper projectiles that can injure a personon the receiving end of a throw or in the general vicinity of use.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the proximal end of launchingsection 20 which is pivotably/hingedly attached to the distal end ofhandle section 10 at hub 42. Hub 42 includes a central bore 41 throughwhich launching section is rotatably pinned or bolted to flanges 15 ofhandle section 10. If hub 42 were simply round, then launching section20 would simply freely rotate about hinge 40 from 0-180° with respect tohandle section 10. However, hub 42 has several ramped regions thatinteract with angular delimiter switch 50 when switch 50 is disposed ina given position within slot 52. When angular delimiter switch 50 ispushed fully distally as shown in FIG. 4A, ramped regions 44 abutagainst the distal end of switch 50, locking the device in its extendedconfiguration of about 180° with respect to handle section 10. Whenangular delimiter switch 50 is pushed into its intermediate position asshown in FIG. 4B ramped region 46 abuts against the distal end ofangular delimiter switch 50 to prevent launching section 20 fromswinging any closer to handle section 10 than the above-mentioned angleα, thereby maximizing flight characteristics. When angular delimiterswitch 50 is pushed fully proximally as shown in FIG. 4C, hub 42 willnot engage switch 50 at all, thereby allowing launching section 20 toswing directly atop handle section 10 at roughly 0° in thecollapsed/storage configuration. Alternatively, another ramped section(not shown) can be provided on hub 42 that will engage switch 50 andhelp to lock launching section 20 in the storage configuration.

Another version of the angular delimiter of the invention is shown inFIGS. 9-10 as angular delimiter trigger switch 150. Instead of arelatively short switch 50 slidable within slot 52 and having discrete“clickable” positions, switch 150 is nearly as long as the handlesection and is spring-biased into engageability with hub 42 (see FIG.10) to prevent rotation of the launching section beyond a predeterminedangle. Switch 150 includes at its distal end boss section 152 whichserves as the angular delimiting stopper when the first ramped portion46 of hub 42 engages with the switch. At the proximal end of switch 150is a trigger 154 which can be pulled on or otherwise moved in thedirection of arrow C by the user to overcome the spring biasing force ofspring 160 (FIG. 10) and move boss section 152 out of engageability withhub 42. In one example, trigger 154 includes a finger pull 156 adaptedto be readily reachable by the finger of a user while the user isholding the device at handle 13.

It is envisioned that any type of mechanical linkage or connection canbe used to transmit the pulling force of the user's finger on trigger154 to boss section 152. However, the preferred mechanism is a simpleshaft 158 that rides along handle section 10 and integrally connectsboss section 152 to trigger 154. That is, in this embodiment, switch 150is made from a single piece of material (apart from spring 160, which,in other embodiments, may be replaced with any other type of biasingmechanism, including one that could be integral with switch 150).

The preferred projectile for this embodiment is a lightweight sphere 60made of a conformable material dimensioned very slightly larger than thegap between prongs 32/34 of the ball holder. In one embodiment, theprojectile is a polyurethane foam golf-ball-sized ball, weighingapproximately 10-15 grams. This is in contrast to a typical tennis ball,the conventional projectile for devices like these, which weighs roughly50-60 grams. Dimples 62 are preferably provided on the surface of sphere60. The dimples of the projectile induce turbulence in the layer of airnext to the ball (the “boundary layer”). At high rotational speeds, aturbulent boundary layer created by said dimples reduces aerodynamicdrag. The backspin of the ball creates a Magnus effect or aerodynamiclift which causes the projectile to rise as it travels. When thedimpling is combined with the backspin, the overall result is vastincrease of the overall distance and controllable curved flight pathachievable for a given throw of given force.

FIGS. 7A-C depict how one may control the contours of the curved flightplan of a thrown projectile simply by adjusting a) the final position ofthe arm within a throwing motion with respect to the sagittal plane ofthe body, and/or b) the angle of the entire throwing motion with respectto the ground. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7A, releasing theprojectile high in the sagittal plane results in a high flyingprojectile. By contrast, as shown in FIG. 7B, releasing the projectilelower in the sagittal plane results in a low flying projectile, the“worm burner.” Both FIGS. 7A and B presume keeping the throwing motionsubstantially perpendicular to the ground (i.e., straight up and down).However, if one rotates one's entire throwing motion to an angle to theperpendicular, the curved flight plan of FIGS. 7A and B results inlateral curvature of the flight plan. An example of such a flight planis depicted in FIG. 7C, where the user is throwing the ball with aside-arm motion closer to parallel to the ground than perpendicular.Although the projectile is released in center of the closest grid, theprojectile curves to the left at 100 feet and curves substantially tothe right at 200 feet. This is similar to the flight plan of FIG. 7A butrotated 90°. Other similar variations are possible and anticipated.

It is preferred that handle section 10 and launching section 20 besubstantially the same length. The inventor has found that when the handposition offset is the same as the projectile's offset from the pivotpoint (in one embodiment, approximately 12 inches), a user can rapidlyaccelerate the lever with little effort using 10-15 gram projectilessuch as those described above. As the projectile mass increases, thepower required or stress felt while throwing also steeply increases.This is why conventional two-piece chucker devices have short leverswith long handles, as they are throwing heavier projectiles such astennis balls (˜50-60 grams).

By contrast, the invention allows a user, even a child, to throwlightweight projectiles far and fast. It is not feasible for a child toaccelerate a 30 gram (or heavier) projectile to go to over 100 mph withlittle effort using any of the prior art devices. One-piece chuckers aresimply too long or too heavy to accelerate rapidly without extremestress and fatigue on the user. The two-piece chuckers stubby lever armsdo not generate as much speed as a long lever arm.

The ‘sweet spot’ of the invention is that the combination of leverlength (˜12 inches), the projectile mass (8-25 grams), and the 1:1 ratioof launching section (lever length) to the handle section (base length)are all greatly preferred for the superior results of the invention toemerge.

The inventive launcher has the ability to achieve both simultaneouslyhigh forward velocity and high rotational speeds required to get theabove-mentioned flight characteristics. The ability to do both at sametime by exploiting the catapulting/whip action of the lever that occursby design is unexpectedly superior and never before seen in the priorart. Some prior launchers have somewhat exploited speed or ball rotationseparately. A conventional track ball game made by Wham-o (of WoodlandHills, Calif.) included a launcher that exploited backspin but had nosignificant speed. Bows and arrows, slingshots, and the like exploitspeed but no back spin. When compared to other launchers that achievecomparable speeds, they tend to have rubber bands or springs that storeenergy and suddenly release it, which can be a safety issue. Bycontrast, in the present invention, all of the power/speed is derivedfrom the throwing action directly with no sudden or surprise release ofenergy. Moreover, with conventional stored energy launchers, the userpulls back and releases one's grip to shoot. By contrast, the inventionutilizes a more direct throwing motion which lets the user feel/controlthe throw power and speed. It is a very direct and satisfying type ofthrowing action, whereas the others are more of a triggering type ofhigh energy release.

Anticipated uses of the device using the preferred dimpled foam ball 60include target-style games, distance games and competitions,combat-style games, and the like.

The same principles articulated above are also applicable to theinventive disc thrower 108 of FIGS. 11-16. Like elements are representedby like numerals, and their description will not be repeated. The discthrower 108 includes a handle section 10, a launching section 20, andangular delimiter such as switch 50 or trigger 150 as above. The maindifference lies in disc holder 130, adapted to hold securely (but nottoo securely) a disc such as ring 160 within channel 137.

Disc holder 130 includes at least two, but preferably two, disc grippersor sections 132 and 134 substantially at opposite ends of disc holder130 and collinear with channel 137 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Proximal discgripper 132 includes two webs 131 which each have detent bumps 133 onopposing inner surfaces. The disc or ring 160 is adapted to fitsnugly—but not too snugly—between detent bumps 133 so that theaforementioned whipping motion will readily cause a disc or ring 160disposed therein to fly out of proximal gripper 132.

Distal disc gripper 134 includes two webs 135 which preferably taper toform a narrow section 136 at the proximal end thereof and which flareout as one moves distally. Narrow section 136 is the tightest grippingportion of the entire disc holder 130, and it forms a pivot point aroundwhich disc or ring 160 will rotate after it is released from proximalgripper 132. As best illustrated in FIG. 14, the rear sides of webs 135of distal gripper 134 are provided with ramps 138. As the disc or ring160 leaves the distal gripper, it fully rotates around to the rear ofdistal gripper 134 so that it hits ramps 138 and wedges them apart. Thatis, since the space between ramps 138 becomes progressively smaller butdisc or ring 160 is substantially incompressible, the relatively fixedwidth of disc 160 forces the ramps 138—and thus webs 135—apart, therebyfreeing the disc from the distal gripper. This is shown in varyingstages in FIG. 16.

More generally, it is preferred that distal disc gripper/section 134have a stronger gripping force on disc 160 than proximal discgripper/section 132, so that when the user whips the device and causesthe launching section to move with respect to the handle section, disc160 first leaves proximal disc gripper 132 and then distal disc gripper134. This sequential release of disc 160 from grippers 132 and then 134imparts rotational motion to the disc which aids in flight stability.This sequential release can be accomplished by providing narrow section136 on distal disc gripper 134, or in other ways, such as by providing agreater coefficient of friction between the distal disc gripper and thedisc than the coefficient of friction between the proximal disc gripperand the disc. Other ways of ensuring that the proximal disc gripperreleases the disc before the distal disc gripper are also contemplated.

As shown best in FIG. 15, disc 160 preferably includes a raised ridge162 on at least one side and preferably both sides of the disc forbetter securement into disc holder 130. Disc or ring 160 optionallyincludes a large central hole 163 for purposes of reducing the weight ofthe disc to enable easier and further flinging of the disc. A series ofsmaller holes 164 are provided on disc 160 to make the disc lighter, useless material, and aesthetic reasons. Holes 164 also augment thestability of the flight of disc/ring 160 owing to air passing from oneside of the disc to the other during flight.

The disc is preferably made from a soft flexible material such as a softplastic, rubber, fabric, and/or foam material. The preferred weight ofthe disc is 25-35 g, slightly more than the ball projectile above butmuch lighter than typical hand-thrown flying discs which range from100-200 g or more. In use, disc/ring 160 can typically travel 40-70meters.

The device is able to accomplish different throws similar to typicalflying disc throws, e.g., bank shots by tilting to one side or theother; lofts by throwing upward; or fast and straight by throwing flatand direct.

The invention is not limited to the above description. For example,while the disc holder is chiefly described as having two disc grippers,a proximal disc gripper and a distal disc holder, the inventioncontemplates a single continuous disc holder having a proximal discgripping section and a distal disc gripping section that aresubstantially similar to the proximal and distal disc grippers describedabove. In other words, channel 137 in between can be utilized as anintermediate disc gripping section in addition to the proximal anddistal disc grippers/sections without deviating from the invention.

Also, while the preferred lengths of the handle and launching sectionsare described as approximately 12 inches, other lengths are alsocontemplated, as long as the ratio of section lengths is at or close to1:1. Additionally, the preferred projectile includes a plastic disc orring, however other projectiles are also contemplated. For example, thedevice is well-suited for hand flinging light-weight missiles, gliders,balls, and paintball-type projectiles which are somewhat soft andpreferably explode on contact. Different sizes and/or shapes of ball ordisc holders may be provided for different sized and/or shapedprojectiles. The different-sized ball holders may be provided asinterchangeable (e.g., screw or snap on), or they may be integral withdifferent sized projectile throwers, or one or both of the arms of theball holder may be made adjustable, either discretely or continuously,to accommodate different-sized projectiles.

Additionally, instead of a slidable or otherwise movable angulardelimiter that can move into and engageability with the rampedportion(s) of the other section of the device, other angular delimitingstructures are contemplated. For example, instead of a selectableswitch/trigger that moves the delimiter into and out of engageability, apermanently fixed angular delimiter may be provided that prevents thelaunching section from ever rotating too close to the handle section,e.g., 40-50° apart. The fixed angular delimiter may be provided as anon-moving protrusion projecting from one of the mating ends of thehandle and launching sections, and the other mating end would beprovided with a corresponding ramped portion that would abut against theprotrusion when the sections are rotated together into thethrowing/cocked position.

As another alternative, instead of a switch/boss engageable with aramped portion on the opposite mating section of the device, theinvention also contemplates a detent mechanism having one or more“bumps” that are manually forced past a stopping surface to providediscrete stopping positions along the rotation of one section withrespect to the other. Other variations are also contemplated.

Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the above description orthe attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention isdefined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and includes any equivalentsthereof as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc projectile throwing toy, comprising: ahandle section holdable by a user; and a launching section having aproximal end and a distal end, said proximal end hingedly attached toand whippably rotatable with respect to said handle section, and saiddistal end including a disc holder adapted to releasably hold a discprojectile, said disc holder having a proximal disc gripper and a distaldisc gripper, said distal disc gripper gripping a disc projectileindependently of said proximal disc gripper, wherein when a disc isinserted into said disc holder and said launching section is whippedwith respect to said handle section, said disc holder releases the disc.2. A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, furthercomprising an angular delimiter disposed on one of a distal end of saidhandle section and said proximal end of said launching section andengageable with a first ramped portion disposed on the other of saiddistal end of said handle section and said proximal end of saidlaunching section, wherein when said angular delimiter is engaged withsaid first ramped portion, said launching section is placed in a cockedposition at an angle of approximately 40-50° to said handle sectionneither parallel to nor collinear with said handle section.
 3. A discprojectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein said handlesection and said launching section are substantially the same length. 4.A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein a firstgripping force of said distal disc gripper on a disc inserted into saiddisc holder is greater than a second gripping force of said proximaldisc gripper on the disc inserted into said disc holder.
 5. A discprojectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein when a disc isinserted into said disc holder and said launching section is whippedwith respect to said handle section by a user, the disc first leavessaid proximal disc griper, pivots around said distal disc gripper, andthen leaves said distal disc gripper.
 6. A disc projectile throwing toyaccording to claim 1, said proximal disc gripper further comprising twoproximal webs between which a disc is releasably placeable.
 7. A discprojectile throwing toy according to claim 6, further comprising atleast one detent bump formed on at least one inner gripping surface ofsaid proximal webs, said at least one detent bump engageable with a discwhen the disc is placed in said disc holder.
 8. A disc projectilethrowing toy according to claim 1, said distal disc gripper furthercomprising two distal webs tapered toward each other to form a narrowsection at a proximal end of said distal disc gripper.
 9. A discprojectile throwing toy according to claim 8, said narrow section beingthe narrowest portion of said disc holder.
 10. A disc projectilethrowing toy according to claim 8, further comprising a pair of rampsrespectively disposed on a rear side of said distal webs, wherein whensaid launching section is whipped with respect to said handle section, adisc in said distal disc gripper pivots around said narrow section andengages said ramps, thereby pushing said distal webs apart and therebyreleasing the disc from said distal disc gripper.
 11. A disc projectilethrowing toy according to claim 2, said first ramped portion beingdisposed on said launching section, and said angular delimiter beingdisposed on said handle section and spring-biased into engageabilitywith said first ramped portion.
 12. A disc projectile throwing toyaccording to claim 11, said angular delimiter including a boss portionat a delimiter distal end engageable with said first ramped portion. 13.A projectile throwing toy according to claim 12, said angular delimiterincluding a trigger mechanically coupled to said boss portion adapted toallow the user to retract said angular delimiter proximally against saidspring bias out of engageability with said first ramped portion.
 14. Adisc projectile throwing toy, comprising: a disc releasably placeable inand throwable from said toy; a handle section holdable by a user; and alaunching section having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximalend hingedly attached to and whippably rotatable with respect to saidhandle section, and said distal end including a disc holder adapted toreleasably hold said disc, said disc holder having a proximal discgripper and a distal disc gripper, said distal disc gripper grippingsaid disc independently of said proximal disc gripper, wherein when saiddisc is inserted into said disc holder and said launching section iswhipped with respect to said handle section, said disc holder releasessaid disc.
 15. A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 14,said disc further comprising an at least partially circumferential ridgereleasably engageable with said disc holder.
 16. A disc projectilethrowing toy according to claim 14, said proximal disc gripper furthercomprising two proximal webs between which said disc is releasablyplaceable.
 17. A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 16,further comprising at least one detent bump formed on at least one innergripping surface of said proximal webs, said at least one detent bumpengageable with said ridge on disc when said disc is placed in said discholder.
 18. A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 14, saiddistal disc gripper further comprising two distal webs tapered towardeach other to form a narrow section at a proximal end of said distaldisc gripper.
 19. A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 18,said narrow section being the narrowest portion of said disc holder. 20.A disc projectile throwing toy according to claim 18, further comprisinga pair of ramps respectively disposed on a rear side of said distalwebs, wherein when said launching section is whipped with respect tosaid handle section and said disc is placed in said disc holder, saiddisc pivots around said narrow section and engages said ramps, therebypushing said distal webs apart and thereby releasing said disc from saiddistal disc gripper.